No fewer than 27,980 persons have applied to be employed in the ongoing second batch of teachers’ recruitment in Abia State.
Governor Alex Otti disclosed this, while noting that only 4,000 teachers are scheduled for employment in the second batch.
Otti made the announcement on Friday, during his November edition of the monthly chat with journalists at Government House in Umuahia.
He assured that the recruitment exercise would be transparent and would not be allowed to be manipulated in favour of those not qualified.
“What I will assure you is that the process of employment cannot be manipulated under my watch. If you qualify, you will be employed. We are calling for 4,000 but getting 27,980; almost 28,000.”
He emphasized that only qualified applicants who successfully went through the process will be employed, and not by their connection to any influential individual in the State.
He also announced that the glitch noticed in the payment of the first batch of teachers’ recruitment was being resolved to ensure that they get their payments this weekend.
Otti further announced plans to gradually offset backlog of unpaid gratuities dating back to twenty years, in the State.
He confirmed that his administration has received report from the committee set up to review the matter.